Sister Nirmala, Successor to Mother Teresa, Dies at 81

Sister Nirmala, who succeeded Mother Teresa as the head of the Missionaries of Charity founded by the Nobel laureate, died this morning. She was 81.

Sister Nirmala, successor to Mother Teresa, died this morning. She was 81. An official from Missionaries of Charity said Sister Nirmala had not been well for past few days. (AFP Photo)

Sister Nirmala's body lay in state at St John's Church in Sealdah and will be shifted to Mother House in Kolkata on June 24, 2015, followed by the funeral at 4 pm. (AFP Photo)
On March 13, 1997, six months before Mother Teresa's death, Nirmala Joshi was selected the Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity. (AP Photo)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first to tweet his condolences, "Sister Nirmala's life was devoted to service, caring for the poor & underprivileged. Saddened by her demise. May her soul rest in peace," he posted. (AFP Photo)

Sister Mary Prema, standing next to Sister Nirmala in this picture, was elected to succeed Sister Nirmala during a general chapter held in Calcutta in April 2009. (AP Photo)